Super Air Zonk
Super Air Zonk - Platformer Classic
Super Air Zonk is a side-scrolling action platformer released for the NEC TurboGrafx-CD in Japan in 1993. Developed by Red Company and published by NEC Home Electronics, this game is a deluxe reimagining of the earlier PC Engine title Air Zonk (PC Denjin). It takes full advantage of the CD-ROM format with enhanced graphics, CD-quality music, and animated cutscenes. The game never saw a western release, so the menus and story text are entirely in Japanese, but the gameplay remains accessible to anyone.
You control Zonk, a cybernetic hero who runs and jumps through colorful, surreal stages while blasting enemies with a chargeable projectile. The core loop involves navigating left-to-right through each level, dodging attacks from bizarre robotic foes, and collecting power-ups that either boost your weapon or grant temporary invincibility. There are also hidden bonus areas and branching paths that reward exploration. The game borrows heavily from the classic PC Engine platformer formula but adds a CD-era polish to the experience.
Super Air Zonk is worth trying today because it represents a peak of the PC Engine CD library, with tight controls and a quirky, vibrant art style that still holds up. It's a shorter, more arcade-like experience than many modern games, making it a fun session for anyone curious about Japanese exclusive titles from the early 90s. It doesn't break new ground, but it executes its genre with confidence and charm. If you enjoy games like Bonk's Adventure or Splatterhouse, this fits right alongside them.
How to Play Super Air Zonk Online
When you boot Super Air Zonk, the title screen appears entirely in Japanese. Press Start (Enter) to advance through the intro sequences. From the main menu, the first option is New Game, the second is Continue (if you have a save), and the third is Options. In Options you can adjust difficulty and sound settings. To start playing, choose New Game and then select a save slot.
The game is a straightforward platformer. You move Zonk with the D-Pad, jump with X (A button), and fire your weapon with S (B button). Holding the attack button charges a more powerful shot. Watch your health bar at the top of the screen - one hit from an enemy costs a heart. Collecting hearts and power-ups from floating containers helps you survive.
A few tips: you can hold down on the D-Pad while jumping to perform a ground pound that stuns enemies. Some walls hide secret passages, so try walking into them. The game auto-saves after each level if you have a save file active. If you die, you restart at the beginning of the current stage with a few continues available. The Japanese text won't impede your progress once you know the menu flow.
Super Air Zonk Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
Comments (0)